A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to pay for a headstone for an Isle of Wight boy who died earlier this year, at the age of just eleven.

The family of Lewis Lawrence Oatley Pyke have set up an online fundraising page.

Born on September 22, 2008, Lewis was described as a healthy, happy baby.

At the age of six months, he began to lose control of his body.

Three months later was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. The condition makes muscles weaker and causes problems with movement that get worse over time.

A GoFundMe page has so far seen donations of over £2,300.

Isle of Wight County Press: Lewis was known for his sense of adventureLewis was known for his sense of adventure

"Lewis fought his entire life to be better"

Lewis's mother, Nikki, said: "We were told to prepare for Lewis not to survive beyond two years-old, but his second birthday came and he was still here fighting.

"Over the years his strength was pushed to the limits — among other things, he battled multiple collapsed lungs and scoliosis, which caused an 80 degree curvature of his spine.

"This resulted in two major spinal surgeries, which nearly finished him off, but he was not ready to give up and fought his entire life to be better.

"The positivity, kindness and love that radiated from Lewis was endless, he touched so many lives and I don’t think there is one person who has not been positively inspired by our special little man.

"I will forever be lost without him, the truth is he saved me and was our superhero."

Lewis died in March - after suffering a heart attack.

Isle of Wight County Press: Lewis had a happy family life and adored his two sistersLewis had a happy family life and adored his two sisters

Nikki and Alan — Lewis's father — performed CPR for 25 minutes while waiting for an ambulance. Medical workers were able to get his heart restarted, but Lewis's brain had been starved of oxygen for too long.

His parents had to make the heartbreaking decision to switch off his ventilator later that evening.

Lewis leaves a legacy of making the most of every minute, having driven boats, flown planes and received multiple awards for bravery, as well as being a courageous sibling to his two sisters.

Money raised by the GoFundMe page additional to the target will be shared between Island children's charities Kissy Puppy and Daisy Chains.